Critchley and Allison haul Essex back into contention after Somerset's first-innings demolition job
Matt Critchley and Charlie Allison produced an unbroken 187-run partnership to drag Essex back into their County Championship match against Somerset at Taunton, where the home side had piled on 469 and bowled their opponents out for 158.
By the close of day three, Essex had reached 314-3 in their second innings — still trailing by a shadow, but a world away from the 158 all out that had left them staring down the barrel. Critchley, 76 not out, and the 21-year-old Allison, unbeaten on 105 for his fourth first-class century, took Essex from an overnight 59 without loss to a position of genuine respectability. BBC Sport
Somerset's first innings had been a procession of substantial contributions. Thomas top-scored with 110, while Nicholls (96), Rew (74), Abell (65) and Pretorius (48) all chipped in. Sam Cook's 4-92 was the only Essex bowling effort of any sustained note. By the time Somerset declared, the equation was simple: Essex needed a monumental second-innings effort just to make Somerset bat again.
They did not start well. Skipper Tom Westley fell to a soft dismissal, driving Jack Leach — the left-arm spinner — straight to Tom Abell at cover. Dean Elgar, the experienced South African opener, ground out 56 before edging a defensive push off Migael Pretorius to wicketkeeper James Rew. When Jake Ball bowled Paul Walter through the gate for 43 — the ball beating the bat as Walter drove at a good-length delivery — Essex were three down and still adrift.
Then Critchley and Allison dug in. Allison, all of 21, played with a composure beyond his years to reach three figures. Critchley was the aggressor, working the ball into gaps and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Somerset had their chances: Lewis Gregory, fielding at first slip despite a badly bruised hip suffered on day two, spilled a catch off Leach's bowling when Critchley was still settling. Gregory's injury meant James Rew, the wicketkeeper, took over the captaincy for the third day.
The stakes are considerable. Somerset are chasing a first-ever County Championship title, and a win here would significantly boost those hopes. They earned six bonus points to Essex's two from the first innings, which means even a draw carries different weight for each side. Somerset's attack, though, must find a way through Critchley and Allison on the final morning — and then contend with whatever lower-order resistance Essex can muster.
For Essex, the challenge is to bat long enough to make the game safe. For Somerset, it is to take seven wickets on a wearing pitch while chasing the victory that would keep their title dream alive. One day of cricket left, and both results still in the balance.
